1
as in democratic
of, relating to, or favoring political democracy
having rid itself of the yoke of colonialism, the new nation chose to be a self-ruling state
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
2
as in independent
not being under the rule or control of another
was granted special status as a self-ruling province
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Recent Examples of self-ruling
Not only that, but Greenland, a self-ruling territory of Denmark, lacks the infrastructure and manpower required to make this mining dream a reality.
—
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The dispute began when Takaichi, who was elected last month, told lawmakers that a hypothetical Chinese attack on self-ruling Taiwan, which at its closest point is about 70 miles from Japanese territory, could threaten Japan’s survival and trigger a military response from Tokyo.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 25 Nov. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Matt Egan, CNN Money, 12 Jan. 2026
Like Assad before him, Sharaa now faces complex negotiations toward bringing these self-ruling territories under his command.
—Tom O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Dec. 2025
The dispute began when Takaichi, who was elected last month, told lawmakers that a hypothetical Chinese attack on self-ruling Taiwan, which at its closest point is about 70 miles from Japanese territory, could threaten Japan’s survival and trigger a military response from Tokyo.
—Peter Guo, NBC news, 25 Nov. 2025
In recent years, Beijing has ramped up economic, diplomatic and military pressure on Taiwan – a self-ruling democracy the Chinese Communist Party claims as its own despite having never governed it.
—Eric Cheung, CNN, 13 Mar. 2023
In a meeting earlier with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, Raisi expressed support for China's crackdown on democracy in Hong Kong and claim to self-ruling democratic Taiwan.
—Bradford Betz, Fox News, 17 Feb. 2023
Recent Examples of Synonyms for self-ruling
Adjective
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Yet in the past, many of us still looked with a certain envy at the strength of the country’s institutions, the independence of its media, and the willingness of its citizens to engage in democratic life.—
Nataliya Gumenyuk,
The Dial,
21 Apr. 2026
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These are very challenging times, and the police, in all their forms, can play a significant role in sustaining democratic values.—
Amelie Botbol,
FOXNews.com,
14 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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Take control of your money with CNBC Select CNBC Select is editorially independent and may earn a commission from affiliate partners on links.—
Mark Travers,
CNBC,
19 Apr. 2026
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The transaction is commercial, and thus the newsroom remains independent.—
Julian Baron,
Baltimore Sun,
19 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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According to experts, these advances highlight progress in core capabilities such as real-time control, terrain adaptation, and autonomous decision-making, with implications for search and rescue, industrial operations, logistics, and defense applications.—
Jijo Malayil,
Interesting Engineering,
21 Apr. 2026
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Other areas of technology investment are going to creating autonomous supply chains as well as tech to help combat labor shortages and volatile shipping costs.—
Arthur Zaczkiewicz,
Footwear News,
21 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The sovereign rating was affirmed at Baa1.—
Bloomberg,
Bloomberg,
21 Apr. 2026
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Produced entirely within a sovereign European industrial base, TopStar Smart Receiver is assembled at Thales’ site in Valence, France.—
Prabhat Ranjan Mishra,
Interesting Engineering,
20 Apr. 2026
Adjective
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The animals live in small social groups — typically one stallion with several mares and their young — alongside separate bands of younger males.—
Derek Gatopoulos,
Los Angeles Times,
19 Apr. 2026
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Alternate methods exist as well, and depending on the appliance, the manufacturer may have a separate set of tips for the best results.—
Hallie Milstein,
Southern Living,
19 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Self-ruling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/self-ruling. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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